Real Brownfields Deserve Dollars I
read with interest the story on Brownfield development dollars in the
July 20 issue. I applaud Dan Lathrop and other county commissioners who
voted “No” on the Randolph Street project...

Hopping Mad Carlin
Smith is hopping mad (“Will You Get Mad With Me?” 7-20-15). Somebody
filed a fraudulent return using his identity, and he’s not alone. The AP
estimates the government “pays more than $5 billion annually in
fraudulent tax refunds.” Well, many of us have been
hopping mad for years. This is because the number one tool Congress has
used to fix this problem has been to cut the IRS budget –by $1.2 billion
in the last 5 years...

Just Grumbling, No Solutions Mark
Pontoni’s grumblings [recent Northern Express column] tell us much
about him and virtually nothing about those he chooses to denigrate. We
do learn that Pontoni may be the perfect political candidate. He’s
arrogant, opinionated and obviously dimwitted...

A Racist Symbol I
have to respond to Gordon Lee Dean’s letter claiming that the
confederate battle flag is just a symbol of southern heritage and should
not be banned from state displays. The heritage it represents was the
treasonous effort to continue slavery by seceding from a democratic
nation unwilling to maintain such a consummate evil...

Not So Thanks I
would like to thank the individual who ran into and knocked over my
Triumph motorcycle while it was parked at Lowe’s in TC on Friday the
24th. The $3,000 worth of damage was greatly appreciated. The big dent
in the gas tank under the completely destroyed chrome badge was an
especially nice touch...

Dark Sky Park

Dark Sky Park: Shes preserving the star shine at The Headlands in Emmet CountyBy Kristi KatesResidents of many rural communities in Northern Michigan are fortunateto benefit from less light pollution than that which occurs in andaround major cities. One Harbor Springs resident hopes to keep it thatway. The National Parks and Conservation Association estimates that only10% of the U.S. population is afforded the opportunity to see thenight sky in its natural state, Mary Stewart Adams explains.Adams, a Dark Sky advocate, is working towards having a location inEmmet County specially-designated as a Dark Sky Park, which is, as sheexplains it, a public, protected place with exceptional night skyquality.Thats pretty much the basics - but becoming an accredited Dark SkyPark is another thing entirely.

MEASURING THE DARKMany Dark Sky initiatives are being presented around the country (seewww.darksky.org) in an effort to fight light pollution and give peoplethe opportunity to see the night sky as it should be seen. Adams, whopoints out that there are only four official Dark Sky Parks in theU.S. (there are also Dark Sky Preserves, and some cities designated asDark Sky Communities), explains that there are even distinctionswithin these locales.You can be a Dark Sky Park with bronze, silver or gold designation,depending on the quality of dark sky in your location, she says.Creating a Dark Sky Park also takes a commitment on the part of thepeople involved in stewarding the land in question.International designation as a Dark Sky Park, however, is somethinggranted by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) in Tucson,Arizona and involves a rigorous process of application, approval andsustainability.There must be public nighttime access, and the sky itself must be anoutstanding dark sky resource relative to the population it serves,Adams explains. Existing lights must be inventoried, and the nightsky must be measured as to quality and darkness to determine the levelof designation we are eligible for. Our application must also show howthe lighting guidelines have affected change and lighting design inthe park.

CHOOSING THE HEADLANDSSo what are the reasons for all of this effort? There are many - someastronomy-based or astrology-focused, and some more grounded interrestrial matters.Having dark skies allows for enhanced naked eye and telescopicviewing of the worlds beyond our own, Adams says. It provides a safeand natural environment for nocturnal creatures, and it is also fuelfor the imagination. Most cultural beliefs are based on ourunderstanding of our place in the cosmic order. A Dark Sky Parkbenefits astronomers and astrologers alike, for essentially they areboth storytellers, telling the stories of the stars that can be seenoverhead, providing light pollution doesnt diminish our ability tosee. Ours is a time of using the amazing technology available to us toexplore the physical environment out there.The Emmet County site, which will be at The Headlands, a 600-acrecounty-owned park two miles west of Mackinaw City, boasts pristinewoods and miles of undisturbed shoreline. It is densely populated withtrees and wildlife, and was chosen because of its ideal locale, itsdark environment, and -- although it might at first seemcounterintuitive -- its adjacency to one of Michigans primary touristdestinations.Being near Mackinaw allows us to send a wonderful message to a lot ofpeople, and demonstrates our intention to protect our resources,Adams says.

A TEAM EFFORTAdams work on the Dark Sky Park has been tireless, involving manypresentations and negotiations with Emmet County Commissioners, whohave, Adams says, unanimously supported our efforts from thebeginning. Petoskey resident Mary Lou Tanton and Mackinaw Cityauthor/columnist Fred Gray have helped her spearhead the plan, andshes also working with Parks and Recreation Director Laurie Gaetanoand Director of Emmet County Planning and Zoning Brentt Michalek. Aletter of nomination from Northern Michigan astronomer PatrickStonehouse has also been acquired.A county resolution and guidelines for the Headlands Dark Sky Park areexpected to be drafted and submitted to the IDA before the end of thisyear. In the meantime, Adams continues to pursue her other astronomyand astrology-related activities, which include teaching, writing, andthe publishing of her interactive night sky lore/fairy-tale calendar,which shes dubbed Fairy Tale Moons.Weve hosted several wonderful events and star parties while werewaiting, Adams says, there is no need to wait for (official)designation to experience the wonders of the night.

ECLIPSES AND SOLSTICESAdams also points out many interesting astronomical events that aretaking place soon, including the total lunar eclipse that will happenjust hours before the Winter Solstice on December 21.It will be visible from Northern Michigan, she says, and its alsooccurring two years prior to the much-talked-about end of the MayanCalendar.Adams says that the best way to experience this event, or the nightsky itself, is simply to go outside and look up - after youveadjusted your own household outdoor lighting to maximize your viewingability.Do your own lighting inventory, she suggests, position, time, andmeasure your outdoor lights so that they emit only the amount of lightneeded.The next step is to get a star map. Michigan State Universitypublishes an internationally-acclaimed sky map for the very reasonableprice of $11 a year, Adams points out.Or get more education on what youre looking for by visiting one ofthe observa-tories in the region, of which we have two: the RogersObservatory of Northwest Michigan College in Traverse City, and theBesser Museum Observatory in Alpena.And of course, there are the ongoing events at the Headlands and myown Fairy Tale Moons calendar, Adams says.There are dark skies all over northern Michigan, she says, butcreating an intentional Dark Sky Park raises awareness and fosterscommunity.

More info on progress of the Dark Sky Park designation may be found atwww.emmetcounty.org/darkskypark/ and a special overnight program andeclipse viewing event will be held at the Headlands guest House onDec. 21. Mary Stewart Adams Fairy Tale Moons calendars for 2011 areavailable for sale locally in independent bookstores and through herwebsite, www.fairytalemoons.com. She will be giving talks at Betweenthe Covers in Harbor Springs on Nov. 26, at the Petoskey Open House onDec. 3, and at both Horizon Books in Traverse City and Petoskey onDec. 18.